Our team go into the match looking to complete a league ‘double’ against the Spireites, following our magnificent 1-0 victory at the Proact Stadium earlier this season.

“When I first came to this football club I said the fans could play a massive part in how successful this club is,” said Cox.

“We’re at the start of another journey where there are a lot of clubs at this level who’ve been on that same journey for quite a number of years.

“It’s never been a ‘quick fix’ scenario; it’s always been a long-term goal, and our goal for this year is to consolidate in this league and plan again for next year and see how we can move on.

“We’ve laid some really strong foundations at this club over the last two-and-a-half years and we’ve had some great success, which we want to use as a base to progress from.”

On the match itself, Cox continued: “It’s a football match that we want to win because there is local pride [at stake]. We know the supporters feel passionately about [the rivalry] and so do the players and all of the staff.

“It’s always fine lines in derbies and they’re usually tight-knit affairs. It’s going to be who plays well on the day and handles the atmosphere, and [which team] takes their chances.

“We’ve been creating a decent amount of chances and you know that with the quality Chesterfield have in their squad, they’re going to create chances, so I think it’ll be fine lines.”

“Both clubs need the points for different reasons, so it’s got all the makings of being a very good game.

Our boss doesn’t believe the Spireites will be distracted by their upcoming Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final against Peterborough United, which takes place later this month.

He added: “I think Chesterfield will be looking at trying to win a Championship. That’ll be their main goal this season, so I don’t see any reasons why they should take their foot off the pedal, or change or rotate their squad.”

Tickets are still available for Saturday's match, which starts at the slightly earlier than usual time of 1.00pm. For more information, click here.

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Trialists could feature at Leicester
mansfieldtown.net, 18th March 2014

Manager Paul Cox has indicated that some un-named trialists could feature in tomorrow’s Final Third Development League Cup Semi-Final clash with Leicester City.

Our boss is likely to field a strong team for the match at the King Power Stadium, but has revealed that none of the trialists are forwards.

He said: “We might have a look at one or two [trialists], but at the minute it’s about making sure we try and get the players that need game-time at least half a game to keep them ticking over.

“We’ve got enough forwards who we need to get games under their belts. We’re looking at one or two alternatives ‘up top’ this week, but they’ll be no [trialists] playing forward in this game.”

One player who knows both Leicester and Mansfield well is teenage midfielder Michael Cain, whose loan with us expires at midnight on Friday 21 March.

Cox admits he is unsure on whether Cain’s loan will be extended further.

He added: “I’ve got to speak to ‘Cainy’ and Leicester City, and we’ve got to ask if it’s worth realistically keeping him for another month.

“I’d like to do it. He’s a very good player, but I’ve got to speak to all parties before something materialises.”

Meanwhile, Ritchie Sutton is likely to feature against the high-flying Foxes tomorrow night as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Supporters wishing to attend this match should note that it is FREE ADMISSION. To gain entry, simply go to turnstiles 1-6, which will be open from 6.00pm.

If scores are level at full-time, the match will be decided by a penalty shoot-out. The winners will face either Wigan Athletic or Hartlepool United in the Final.

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No Westlake red card appeal for Stags, but Sutton set to face Spireites
chad.co.uk, 18 March 2014

Mansfield Town will not be appealing against Darryl Westlake’s red card, but they have been boosted by the news that Ritchie Sutton could be back from injury early to replace him for Saturday’s big home local derby with Chesterfield.

Stags boss Paul Cox was furious to see a deliberate handball decision go against Westlake on Saturday, which saw Northampton rescue a 1-1 draw from the penalty spot and Westlake red-carded, earning him a one-game ban.

Cox said: “I have watched it a number of times and the DVD footage is inconclusive.

“But I did look where the referee was and he looks unsighted. If you are not 100 per cent certain you don’t give it.

“To then send the lad off as well was surprising. I have got to watch what I say as I will end up getting myself in hot water with truthful comments.

“But we won’t be appealing it. Unless you can 100 per cent guarantee the referee made a mistake, the decision goes against you.

“Darryl is a good player but it looks like Ritchie Sutton will be back and Lee Beevers came on last Saturday and did well. It is a one game ban for Darryl so we just have to get on with it.”

Stags now hope Sutton will come through a reserve outing at Leicester City on Wednesday and prove his fitness a couple of weeks ahead of when he was expected back from a pulled hamstring.

“Ritchie will probably get half a game’s run-out on Wednesday.

“He is back ahead of schedule which is a bonus, but we do have a good physio here who has worked wonders.

“Ritchie has been in every day and he is a big, strong boy who looks after his body well and recovers really well.”

Stags are going for the double over local rivals Chesterfield on Saturday, after the 1-0 away win back in September, though the Spireites did gain some revenge with a 1-0 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy victory at One Call Stadium a week later.

Chesterfield are currently top of the table with the meanest defence in the league and have had midfield ace Gary Roberts just named as League Two player of the year.

Cox added: “It is a football match we want to win. We know all about the local rivalry and how supporters are really passionate about it as are the players and all the staff.

“It is always fine lines in derby games and I am sure it will be the usual tight knit affair.

“It will be about the team who plays well, handles the atmosphere best and takes their chances.

“We have been creating a lot of chances while Chesterfield have quality in their squad and will create chances.

“We defended for large parts of the game at their place and we were perhaps fortunate to get away with a 1-0 win. But at home the tide turned and I thought we were unfortunate to lose 1-0.

“Both clubs need the points for different reasons and it has all the makings of a very good game.

“I know they have a Wembley final (the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy)to look forward to the week after. But they are looking to win a championship. That is their main goal. So I can’t see any reason they would take their foot off the pedal or rotate the squad.

“Our goal this year is to consolidate our place in this league and then plan again for next year and see how we can move on from there.”

Stags will also welcome back top scorer Sam Clucas after he missed the Northampton game with illness.

The Sandy Pate Sports Bar at One Call Stadium will open from 11am for home fans only on Saturday.

Only supporters with a valid match ticket can enter the bar.

Sausage and bacon cobs will be available instead of foods on the normal menu. The bar will re-open to the general public at 3.30pm, when the normal menu will also be re-available to order from.

It should also be noted that the gate inbetween the North Stand and Ian Greaves Stand will be closed throughout the day, following a request by the police. Stags fans should enter the stadium via Quarry Lane.

The club has reminded supporters that the match kicks off at the earlier-than-usual time of 1pm and, based on police advice, no tickets will be sold on matchday under any circumstances.

Tickets, which can be bought from the One Call Stadium ticket office are priced £18 adults, £13 senior citizens/students, £8 aged seven to 16 and free aged six and under.

Concessions are for students in full-time education with a valid NUS card or persons aged 60 or above.